Invitation to Tender: Public affairs support

The College of Optometrists is inviting proposals from experienced public affairs agencies to provide strategic political and stakeholder engagement support across the UK.

The appointed agency will work closely with the College’s Policy & Public Affairs team to strengthen the College’s influence with policymakers, parliamentarians and key health system stakeholders at Westminster and in the devolved nations. The work will support the College’s strategic aim of positioning primary care optometry as the first port of call for eye care, improving patient access, outcomes and the effective use of wider eye care services.

The contract will run for 12 months and will include strategic public affairs advice, political monitoring, parliamentary and government engagement, stakeholder mapping, and targeted influencing activity. A significant focus will be supporting the College’s engagement around the 2026 Scottish Parliament and Senedd Cymru/Welsh Parliament elections, including manifesto communication and dissemination, and post-election relationship building.

The indicative budget for this work is £50,000–£60,000 (including VAT). The deadline for submissions is 10am on Monday 2 February 2026.

A link to the full Invitation to Tender, including detailed requirements and submission instructions, is available below.

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